Hyphens and Dashes

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What is a hyphen?

Back

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives (e.g., well-known) or to indicate a word break at the end of a line.

Front

What is an en dash?

Back

An en dash (–) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a range of values, such as in dates or numbers (e.g., 1990–2000) or to connect related items.

Front

What is an em dash?

Back

An em dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to create a strong break in a sentence, often to set off a clause or to indicate an interruption.

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When should you use a hyphen?

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Use a hyphen to connect two or more words that function as a single adjective before a noun (e.g., a high-quality product) or to avoid ambiguity (e.g., re-sign vs. resign).

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When should you use an en dash?

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Use an en dash to indicate a range of numbers, dates, or time (e.g., pages 10–20) or to connect related concepts (e.g., the New York–London flight).

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When should you use an em dash?

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Use an em dash to create emphasis, indicate a pause, or set off additional information in a sentence (e.g., She was going to the store—if it stopped raining).

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What is the difference between a hyphen and an en dash?

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A hyphen connects words or parts of words, while an en dash indicates a range or connection between two related items.

Front

What is the difference between an en dash and an em dash?

Back

An en dash is used for ranges and connections, while an em dash is used for breaks or interruptions in a sentence.

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Provide an example of a sentence using a hyphen.

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She is a well-respected author.

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Provide an example of a sentence using an en dash.

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The conference will be held from June 5–7.